23, జనవరి 2014, గురువారం

UNION BANK STAFF UNION (Regn No 7282)C/o UNION BANK OF INDIA, 6TH FLR, M.S. MARG BRANCH,66/80 M.S.MARG, MUMBAI 400023 Phone: 22629486(Bank); 22629509(U.O.);Fax: 22676685(Bank); 9819375526(M) E-mail: ubsumumbai@rediffmail.com: nhankar@mail.comCir No: GS: 103/14 Jan 20th 2014.TOAll Members,Dear Comrades,* Bi-Partite Negotiations.Members are aware that wage revision talks between UFBU & IBA are in progress and the outcome so far has been communicated through our messages and circulars at regular intervals.However we have been receiving queries from our cadres and members to explain the process of negotiations and the correct interpretations involved to dispel the confusion that is deliberately being created by forces with vested interests. Accordingly we clarify some of the points as under:1) IBA had proposed Bank-wise settlements as against Industry-wise, but this demand was thwarted by UFBU. Thus the principle of “Same Work Same Pay” & “One industry- one service conditions” have been upheld for all Bank employees represented by UFBU.2) UFBU is negotiating on above principle to decide the increase in wages based on the paying capacity of “the entire Banking Industry” as per consolidated financials. This includes big, small, strong and weak banks. This shows the ambit of responsibility of our Unions under UFBU, since the entire exercise of wage revision will be decided on the basis of “cost to industry basis” that will ensure all banks can absorb the wage costs.3. It has been agreed with UFBU that the new wages will be effective from 1st Nov 2012 and the DA at 4440 points of CPI will be merged with the Basic.Now UFBU is negotiating the additional load the industry can bear on account of the wage revision. The % of load that is being decided does not mean the wages will increase at the same percentage. From earlier wage settlements we can infer that the gross wage increase in terms of % is much higher than the percentage of load.For 9th Bi-Partite settlement, when the pay slip components constituted around Rs.3000 cr and the same was around 11% of the total load, the average increase in gross wages amounted to about 18%.4. For this settlement unlike earlier settlements, UFBU while negotiating has decided to exclude the incremental cost of wage revision towards Retirement benefits – i.e for Pension, PF, Gratuity, and NPS and Leave encashment etc. were required to be borne by the Banks.These costs are consequential and are to be borne by the Banks out of its profits. UFBU is thus concentrating on Pay Slip Components and negotiating increase in the same.5. By securing 9.5% load on the pay slip components, UFBU has achieved a quantum load of Rs.3000 cr which is the quantum achieved in the 9th Bi- Partite settlement.Thus the per-capita/ per-employee cost achieved in last settlement is already secured, and is a very significant step forward considering the difficult socio-political situations. UFBU proposes to be further improve upon this quantum in future negotiation, thereby increasing the quantum as well as increasing percentage of the wages, since the total work force as on date is at the same level of settling last Bi- Partite settlement.After distributing the load, the same will surely be reflected in terms of reasonably higher percentage of wage increase.The above progress is due to the negotiating efforts of UFBU leaders only and no other union has any right to claim credit.It is only the UFBU’s pressure arising out of one days strike on 18 dec 2013 and declaring 2 days strike on 20th &21st January 2014, IBA was directed by Central Labour Commissioner, New Delhi, to pre-pone the discussions and continuously negotiate with the UFBU for amicable settlement.UFBU consists of reputed leaders of AIBEA leadership which have negotiated and settled as many as nine wage revision settlements since 1966, and always under adverse & difficult circumstances. They are totally competent and capable to achieve one more successful wage settlement.However, unfortunately, without understanding the facts attached to the negotiations, rumour mongering is unleashed by some employees and officers to divide the unity and confuse the workforce. Irresponsible and uncalled for comments are being posted in social websites attempting to provoke anger, animosity and division against UFBU Unions.Already one miniscule minority union BKSM has started to toot the tune of IBA by saying in their circular that “9.5% of pay slip amounts to Rs 6450 cr forming 11.46 % of overall establishment cost” thereby distorting the costing on wage revision.We request our member employees to understand the progress made so far in its correct perception and adhere to the directives of our union to ensure that the on going negotiations culminate in a settlement to our satisfaction.We know that Bank employees under the banner of UFBU are wise enough to understand the precarious situation and are capable of rejecting rumour mongering.We need to be patient and bestow confidence to our leaders while awaiting future negotiations from 27th January 2014 onwards. Let us collectively await UFBU’s analysis how IBA approaches the issue for further improvements in wages and service conditions etc.The progress or otherwise of the future negotiations /meetings will decide our course of action.We shall hold area wise meetings to explain the progress made so far and to explain the situation. Let us move with total unity to ensure a significant wage revision.With Regards,Yours Comradely,(N. Shankar)General Secretary